Features

Introduction
Well, it finally was time for Steve Yzerman to cash in. After several years of carefully cultivating one of the deeper prospect pools in the NHL, the Lightning used that depth to complete a trade deadline blockbuster that leveraged prospects Libor Hajek and Brett Howden to land playoff reinforcements Ryan McDonagh and J. T. Miller. Have no fear, though, the Lightning still maintain a deep stable of solid youth, some of whom are already contributing at the NHL level while an extremely youthful Syracuse Crunch team has found its voice and is playing well beyond its years down in the AHL. So, even though a couple of bigger names have moved along, don't expect that to diminish a likely youth movement to come in Tampa Bay over the next two or three years, particularly on the lower lines at the forward position.

As per custom, it's now time for a review of the prospect ranking rules. Any player 24 or older on opening night of the Lightning's season is considered an overage prospect for the purposes of the rankings, hence why Yanni Gourde and Matt Peca were considered overagers earlier this season. A skater with 41 NHL games in a single season or 82 career NHL games of service is considered graduated from prospect status on the website. This has included newly minted Bolt Prospects alumni Mikhail Sergachev, Gourde, and Jake Dotchin so far this season. Goaltenders who have 30 NHL decisions in a single season or 41 career NHL decisions are considered graduated. Lastly, any NCAA player is considered a prospect for the duration of their college career regardless of age.

The Syracuse Crunch winger has four multi-point games during his rookie season, including a goal and an assist against Laval Saturday. Of his 20 points in 40 games this season, nine have come during a multi-point performance.

Crunch head coach Benoit Groulx believes Yan has the tools, but needs to use them each and every game.

“I like the skills. I like the size. He’s got to bring it together every day,” Groulx said. “He’s not consistent at doing that. When he does that, he’s a very good player. When he does not, he’s a different player.”

The Syracuse Crunch forward prides himself on his play on the forecheck and ability to rile up opponents. Walcott can also chuck some fists when the time comes.

Since moving from defense to forward full-time earlier this season, Walcott has focused on bringing energy to the Crunch lineup.

“I’m an energetic guy, so if I can spread the wealthy with my energy, I’ll do that,” Walcott said. “Also, I want to create plays and play the right way defensively. If I’m on the ice, I can’t get scored on. That’s been a focus for me — to bring energy and be physically, but be sound defensively.”

The Syracuse Crunch goalie made a highlight reel save that ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 in a 3-1 win in Charlotte Sunday. Even after a spectacular diving stop with his stick, Ingram focused more on making the next save.

Ingram remains pragmatic about the play and hockey in general as he works his way toward the NHL.

“It went right to left, I slid in and missed my post on the left side and it was a wide open net. You’ve got to do whatever you can to get there, and luckily he just shot it right into my stick,” Ingram said. “I’m not going to take credit for it. It’s a pretty fluky thing that’ll happen.”

Carter Verhaeghe is more well-traveled than most 22-year-old hockey players.

Originally drafted by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013, Verhaeghe has been traded twice and split the last two seasons between the ECHL and the AHL.

Verhaeghe believes his experience has helped mold him into a nearly point-per-game player this year for the Syracuse Crunch.

"I've been through a lot in my short career so far, and I think that only helps me," Verhaeghe said. "I've played for a bunch of different coaches and different teams, and I think everything has contributed to the player I am now."

For Syracuse Crunch head coach Benoit Groulx, Mitchell Stephens may have been on the fourth line, but he wasn't a fourth-liner.

With a glut of healthy forwards and Tampa Bay not calling for reinforcements early this season, Groulx had the rookie center the team's fourth line. Once the inevitable injuries happened, Stephens earned more time on the Crunch's scoring lines.

With a point in 12 of the last 15 games, Stephens has become one of Syracuse's most consistent contributors offensively.

"I remember sitting down with him at one point and telling him that we had no injuries, no call-ups, and it's not because he was playing on the fourth line that we saw him as a fourth liner. ... We had four healthy lines and those lines were made in order to have the team balance," Groulx said. "We didn't see him as a defensive player. I think he needed those 10 games to get more confident and feel the water a little bit to see what it's like to play in this league. Then he started scoring and putting up points. He hasn't stopped since then."

The Syracuse rookie, who averaged more than a point per game in junior, was held to a single assist over his first nine professional games. After a meeting with Crunch head coach Benoit Groulx, Joseph recorded four points in two games against the Rocket in front of friends and family in Laval.

Joseph is taking Groulx’s words to heart as he adapts to the pro game.

“He told me that he wanted me to have fun on the ice,” Joseph said. “My confidence wasn’t really there and I was trying to analyze the game too much. He gave me a little bit of a boost of confidence.”